Castlederg Baptist Church
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31" December
2023.
Reference and Administrative Details
Castlederg Baptist Church,
10 Upper Strabane Road,
Castlederg,
Co.Tyrone,
BT817BG
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC 1076701
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the time of this report
were:
Mr.Stanley Baxter {Chairperson}
Pastor Jude Colhoun
Mr, Ivan Gowdy
Mr. Norman Irwin
Mr. David Nesbitt
Mr. David Porter
Independent Examiner
Mr. Thomas Oliver and Associates Limited, l Moygashel Row, Dungannon, BT717DH
Bankers
Danske Bank, 5-7 Market Street, Omagh, BT78 IBN
The office bearers of the church consist of the Pastor, elders and deacons and they act as trustees of
the congregation. The elders deal with all matters of spiritual importance and the deacons take
responsibility for all practical and temporal affa irs. As a leadership they endeavour to promote the
spiritual interest of the congregation and to encourage the member5 to witness and serve in the
local community.
Male members of the church who have been in membership for at least two years can be
recommended for the office of an elder by existing elders, or by three members. The appointment of
an elder takes place at a Church meeting called for that purpose. Deacons, either male or female,
must be members of the church. They are to be chosen by the membership of the church and
appointed at the annual A.G.M. Elders require a seventy five per cent majority and deacons require a
majority vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at the meeting.
The leadership meet together at least six times a year.

Castlederg Baptist Church
Association of Baptist Churches
Castlederg BaptlSt Church is a member of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland. Although all
churches in the Association are autonomous, the church benefits from support, guidance and
encouragement provided by the Association Director and members of staff. The Ca5tlederg church
values it5 links with other churches in the Association.
Description and Purpose
Castlederg Baptist Church was established in 1987 and at first rented the premises at 10 Upper
Strabane Road, Castlederg. Eventually the church purchased the building and in 2010 erected a new
building to meet the requirements of the congregation.
The church acknowledges the headship of Jesus Christ over his Church and exists to glorify the triune
God by maintaining and promoting his worship both individually and corporately. Its members
devote themselves to the teaching of scripture, to fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and
evangelism. They commit, with the help of God, to witness to the saving and sustaining power of the
Lord Jesus Christ and to work for the extension of hi5 kingdom. The principal charitable purpose of
the church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the teachings of Scripture, the
Doctrinal Statement and Baptist principles.
Activities and Objectives
The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join us. Normally
Breaking of Bread Icommunionl follows the sermon every Sunday. A regular bible study and prayer
meeting is held once a week. Services are open to anyone regardless of whether or not they are
church member5. Sunday School is arranged for the teaching of young children. Youth nights are
held for primary and secondary aged young people. An annual holiday Bible Club is held for a week
during the summer months. Ladies events, visits to residential care homes and organised walks allow
us to participate in the life of the community. Prayer is offered on behalf of our members and their
families, the community and for those in government. We support, both financially and through
prayer, local a nd international Christian organisations.
Achievement and Performance
Church services were held each Sunday to enable member5 and adherents to gather together for
worship and Bible teaching. On Tuesday evenings Bible Studies were held, providing the opportunity
for teaching and discussion on Bible passages. Sunday school was provided for the young people
during the morning service. Sunday School number5 are small but all attend well. OurJ4U Club and
Youth Club run throughout the year but not during the summer months. Almost all of the children
attending are from outside the church family and from different backgrounds and experiences. The
Ladies, Friendship evenings and our'walk and Talk, events saw people from the communityjoining
together with church folk to enjoy these activities. One of the highlights of the year was our summer
Holiday Bible Club when very good numbers of children and teenagers attended the events of the
week.

Castlederg Baptlst Church
Mission and Outreach
The church was able to financially support Baptist Missions and the Baptist College. The fellowship
contributed to the financial sUPPOrt of a Scripture Union E3 project making Good News known in
local schools, an Irish University Christian Unions, worker and an O.M. worker in Germany. The
Sunday School helped raise some funds, then the congregation added to this amount, and one of our
congregation joined a Ba ptist A550ciation trip to Peru in summer 2023 and distributed the financial
support to Baptist churches in Peru The church 5UPPOrted the 'Kids for School, organisation funding
education for some children in Tanzania. The pastor arranged for a college team to visit local schools
to take assemblies and R.E. lessons and to visit Care Homes during a week in October. A visit to a
local school by Baptist Youth to relate, Yhe Amazing Journey to Bethlehem,, story to local children
took place in December. Our ladies crocheted blankets for premature babies born in Altnagelvin
Hospital. Shoe boxes assembled by the congregation were donated to Samaritan's Purse.
Property
The new building of 2010 had been completed in such a way that when finances permitted the
development of the First Floor could be facilitated. This work was completed in 2023.
Public Benefit Statement
The church meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its member5 and the
general public by making the Christian gospel known through the advancement of religion. The
teaching provided by the church leads to spiritual and moral development for those who are
affiliated. In turn this leads to practical expression of Christian beliefs and sta ndards in the
community. Public activitie5 are made known via social media and printed materials.
The purposes do not lead to harm. The only private benefit arising from our purpose is related to our
pastor, who receive5 benefits as a result of holding office, and a Christian Unions Ireland worker and
an O.M. staff member. These are necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no
other private benefits.
The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, and other individuals with whom they
have direct and indirect contact; other communities throughout Ireland and worldwide.
Finance
The congregation's main source of income is members, contribution5. An annual report detailing
income and expenditure was presented at the church's A.G.M.

Trustees Verification of Financial Report
We as Trustees of Castlederg Baptist Church, verify that this financial report for
st
the year ending 31 December 2023, is an accurate reflection of the financial
transaction that occurred during the aforesaid financial year,
Signed
date
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